A news flash is a piece of breaking news that interrupts radio or TV broadcasts to keep listeners updated on current events. They can be local, national or international and can include a mix of hard and soft news. A good news flash starts with a compelling headline that accurately and enticingly conveys what the story is about. It then follows the inverted pyramid style, introducing the most important facts first and adding supporting information as it goes along. It also cites its sources and ends with a nut graph that adds context and ties the main points together to show their significance.
A good newsflash also includes a strong lead that grabs readers’ attention and draws them in so that they will continue listening to the full article. This is often done by using a narrative hook or an anecdote to encapsulate the subject matter in a creative way that will make listeners want to learn more. The lead should also use the “show, don’t tell” technique, avoiding the use of words to describe what is happening and instead letting listeners hear and see it for themselves.
Finally, a good news flash will conclude with a forward-looking element that shows how the subject matter will affect listeners in the future. This can be a call to action, an interview with an expert or even a humorous piece of news that will leave listeners smiling.